A Fresh Start

Chapter 14 • 𝑈𝑛𝑏𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑘𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝐵𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑠

❅◐𝗔𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗿𝗮'𝘀 𝗣𝗢𝗩◑❅

"Aurora, oh thank goodness you're okay," she briskly walked towards me, her red-bottomed heels clicking with each step. She pulled me into a tight hug, her strong designer perfume surrounding me in the process. I wrapped my arms around her as well as she kissed my forehead gently.

"Good evening Claire." Corey greeted her cooly as she smiled widely.

"Aah Corey, haven't seen you in a while. How are you doing?" her chirpy voice asked.

"I'm great. How's Barbie doing?" Claire chuckled at his question.

"She's recovering, she's been in her room all day." It finally clicked that he meant Camille. That nickname suited her perfectly because of her blonde hair and baby blue eyes.

"I'll stop by tomorrow since it will be the weekend. Sorry for holding Aurora up, we had to practice for our song performance on Wednesday," he explained on my behalf.

"Oh no, it's fine. I had forgotten all about it so I got paranoid," she waved her perfectly manicured hand.

"I'm sorry for worrying you, I wanted to reply-"

"Don't apologize sweetie, it's my fault I forgot that you had mentioned it. Anyways you can continue." She turned to leave.

"We can always practice tomorrow. We have all the time in the world," Corey stated and I immediately hummed in agreement.

"Are you sure? I didn't mean to interrupt-"

"We're sure. We can do it tomorrow." I added in an assuring tone.

Once that was resolved, I bid goodbye to Corey and promised to practice some soccer for next week when we'd rehearse in the school field. It was honestly the best venue because then we had the freedom to sing and scream at the top of our lungs whilst acknowledging some constellations in the dark velvet night sky. When I came to think of it, Friday was beginning to become one of my favorite days because of that.

"So, I'm so excited to hear about what transpired between you and Corey before I ruined the moment," she turned her head to look at me. I took a small sip of the Starbucks drink she had gotten me along with some creamy doughnuts.

"Nothing happened." I squeaked as she scoffed loudly.

"It's okay, you can tell me anything," she stopped at a red light before turning her full attention to me.

"Nothing serious really happened. He taught me how to play soccer then we ended up hugging." I shrugged my shoulders as a tiny squeal escaped her lips.

"I won't say a word, even to Walter. I do ship the both of you though, you'd make a cute-"

"No no no. None of that is going to be happening, Corey and I are just music partners and strictly friends," I cut her off as she laughed loudly.

"See, even Walter and I started off that way. Everyone around thought we were together but we were just best friends. Then what do you know, we ended up getting married and having two beautiful daughters." My heart melted at the mention of daughters.

"That will not happen with Corey. He doesn't even like me like that."

"What nonsense! Have you seen the way he looks at you? Anyone can tell that he likes you," her voice raised in enthusiasm as I batted my eyelashes.

"Hm, well we have to wait and see then." I sighed defeatedly.

"It's true Aurora. Anyways, what would you like for dinner today? Camille is not joining us," she sighed whilst parking in the broad driveway.

"Anything is fine really. I'll go and check up on her." I took my bag from the backseat before following her into the mansion.

I went up the staircase and entered my room to leave my bag then visit Camille before I took a shower and headed for dinner. I had high hopes of being able to convince her to join us for dinner.

I tapped on her door lightly and in no time at all, it was flung open. I hadn't registered that she had already wrapped her arms around me until she tightened her grip.

"Why are you so late? I was expecting you to come back early so I could have someone to hang with." Camille's muffled voice said as I smiled.

"Sorry, I had song rehearsal," I explained as she basically pulled me into the room. She flopped on her unmade bed before facing me with her head propped against her elbows. Her hair was untamed and her face was in its natural state. She was also dressed in a pair of pajamas.

"Oh my gosh why do you smell like Corey? Is that his hoodie?" her eyes widened like saucers as she jerked up and covered her mouth.

"Well I-"

"I don't believe this! Corey never gives anyone his clothes, not even me. There was a time I froze to death and he simply said that it'd teach me to bring a jersey next time," she exaggerated as I pursed my lips.

"Wow. I'm shocked, did you ask for it?"

"No, I was cold and-" I was cut off when she started screaming.

"He gave you himself? The pigs are definitely flying. I have to put this on the group chat." She held her phone up and before I could comprehend what was happening, the flashlight from her phone was already blinding my eyes. Was it that big of a deal?

"Is it so rare for him to do that?" I sat beside Camille as she typed furiously at her phone.

You have no idea," she kept her eyes glued to the device. Did that make me feel special? Well...

"I added you to our chat since you're basically part of our group." Camille said whilst tossing her phone aside.

"So how are you feeling now?" I sat on the edge of her bed as a long, wistful sigh escaped her lips. She looked as though she had so much she wanted to vent but had no way or courage of doing so. She still looked and sounded like she was on the edge.

"A bit better but I'm still sad and angry," she pulled her hair back.

"Aaw, it's okay. It's normal to feel that way." I patted her back gently.

"How could one be so inhumane, how do you do that to your best friend? Someone who cares ab-about you," She didn't finish her statement when she burst into tears again. I sighed but wrapped my arms compassionately around her.

"I don't want a best friend or a boyfriend. Ever!" Camille said in half anger and half sadness.

"Don't say that Camille. There are so many people out there who would do anything to be your friend, your best friend even. As a door closes, another is opening." I stroked her soft blonde hair as she sobbed against my chest.

"Why are you such a nice person to me? Even after bullying you and treating you like an outcast," she sniffled and I gave her a warm smile.

"I know it wasn't intentional. You were still upset about me joining the family and it's understandable." I nodded my head as her lips tugged up into a smile.

"You're too nice Aurora, you have a good heart but you have to be careful. Or else you'll get hurt," Camille gave me a sad smile, her eyes getting glassier with each passing second.

"I will be careful, don't worry about me." I gave her small hand a gentle squeeze.

"So, are up for another series binge?" She wiggled her eyebrows playfully as I grinned widely.

"I'd love to."

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Hey loves, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Thank you so much for the 100 votes and I can't believe we're almost at 500 reads! You're such lovely, amazing people, I love you all❤️